On the Bus

This weekend we headed to Pondicherry, about 3-1/2 hours south of
Chennai, via bus. It pays to go for the nicer ("ultra-deluxe") buses"
instead of the middle or lower rungs. The one we took down, the 55
rupee model, had not only a driver who constantly honked (pretty
normal), but also a TV blaring musicals nonstop and not much leg room.
It was a lot to take in at 10 am.

The one on the way back cost 110 rs. -- twice the price. But there
were nice curtains on the windows, a think to hold your bottle of
water, lots more leg room, and fans by the windows. And the theme or
the bus seemed to be "naptime" -- everyone was sleeping rather than
having to stare at the TV. It was great. Well, very good.

More on Pondicherry tomorrow.